The recent news and images of how Australian cows have been treated in Indonesia have greatly disturbed me. Not only because I’m a lover of animals, but also because I grew up with cows as pets.
They are not stupid, mindless creatures, believe me.

When I was 12, two little female calves came to our family, one day before they were due to go to market. One calf was mine (Bluebell), the other my brother’s (Stubby). We hand-reared them (of course with a lot of help from our parents!) feeding them milk solution three times a day and giving them lots of cuddles and love. It only took a couple of days for them to go from semi-wild animals to completely domesticated, tame and loving pets. I have fond memories of spending hours with them, playing with them, taking them for walks on a leash and playing “bunting” games, much like the play-fighting games they’d play with their peers (but them butting their heads on our knees, they never hurt us). They were like big dogs. I couldn’t wait to get home from school to see Bluebell, hug her and inhale her sweet cow smell. She was my safe haven and comfort from my reality of being bullied.

The calves grew up and lost some of their playfulness and dependence on us, but remained loving and affectionate for the rest of their time with us. Bluebell would often give a deep, bellowing moo of greeting when I’d approach her. She loved chest rubs and would often rub her head against me whilst I struggled to stand against her strength.
Bluebell and Stubby had countless calves over the years and I had to learn very quickly that we couldn’t keep them all and also that no one wanted a cow as a “pet.”

Sadly, about ten years ago Stubby went missing, leaving behind a young calf. We scoured neighbouring properties for kilometers but never found her, or her body. It broke our hearts. She probably went off to die on a neighbour’s vast property. To us there was just no other explanation.

About ten years ago my family and I moved into town, but kept the farm, then about 5 years ago my parents sold the farm. We had to find a new home for Bluebell and Stubby’s first calf- now a huge, docile steer named Big Mac. They went to someone as “lawn mowers” and the last time I saw Bluebell was probably nearly 4 years ago. It was heartbreaking to know she wasn’t as loved  and was now just another cow. I don’t know if her or Mac is still alive. I try not to think about it.

Getting Bluebell made me become a vegetarian. I certainly don’t have problem with those who eat meat, but if people had more of a connection with animals, the land and nature in general, perhaps the whole meat industry would be a little more ethical and humane? That or people just aren’t aware of how animals are farmed and slaughtered. The huge public outcry of late has given me comfort that people do care about how the animals they eat are treated.

Anyway, the last thing I want to sound like is another preachy vegetarian. Eating meat is natural and a part of life. I just made the decision because of the strong bond I had with a cow, I just couldn’t reconcile eating meat. Real life doesn’t have a lot of room for a  romantic like me though.